Boat steering fluid sight gauge

Abstract

A marine steering fluid system sight gauge comprises a hollow body having an annular first end, a second end, and a substantially transparent intermediate portion. The annular first end is externally threaded and screws into and sealingly engages against a threaded aperture of a marine steering fluid system. The second end is internally threaded and sealingly receives the threaded cylindrical plug of a marine steering fluid system cap. The hydraulic fluid level is periodically inspected by viewing the level of fluid in the transparent intermediate portion of the sight gauge.

1. A combination of a marine steering fluid system sight gauge and a marine hydraulic steering fluid system, comprising:
 a marine hydraulic steering fluid system; 
 a hollow body having an annular first end, a second end, and a substantially transparent intermediate portion extending between said first end and said second end; 
 said intermediate portion having walls having a thickness of 1/16 inch or more; 
 a reservoir located inside said hollow body extending from said first end to said second end, said reservoir having a generally uniform diameter along a majority of a length of the reservoir; 
 said annular first end having external threads formed on an outer surface of said annular first end, said annular first end having an opening connecting with said reservoir, said annular first end having a diameter which is less than a maximum diameter of said intermediate portion, said annular first end external threads being sized and adapted to be fitted into and engaged with a threaded aperture of the marine steering fluid system; 
 sealing means provided on said annular first end for sealing said hollow body against the threaded aperture of the marine steering fluid system; 
 said second end having internal threads formed on an inner surface of said annular second end and a second opening in said second end connecting with said reservoir, said second opening being larger than said first opening; 
 a marine steering fluid system cap which includes a threaded cylindrical plug, second sealing means provided on said threaded cylindrical plug for sealing said cap against the annular second end, and a finger-grippable knob, second end internal threads being adapted and sized to engage the threaded cylindrical plug of the marine steering fluid system cap. 
 
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing means comprises an O-ring fitted on to said annular first end. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said intermediate portion is a hollow cylinder. 
     
     
       4. The combination of  claim 3 , wherein said intermediate portion is formed of transparent plastic. 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 4 , wherein said intermediate portion is has a level indicator marking provided thereon. 
     
     
       6. A method of enabling visual inspection and determination of the presence of a safe level of hydraulic fluid in a marine hydraulic steering fluid system comprising the steps of:
 unscrewing a marine hydraulic steering fluid system cap which includes a threaded cylindrical plug, a seal provided on said threaded cylindrical plug, and a finger-grippable knob, from a threaded aperture of a marine hydraulic steering fluid system by gripping the finger-grippable knob and turning the marine hydraulic steering fluid system cap; 
 attaching a marine steering fluid system sight gauge having a hollow body with an annular first end, a second end, and a substantially transparent intermediate portion extending between said first end and said second end, said intermediate portion having walls having a thickness of 1/16 inch or more; and a reservoir located inside said body extending from said first end to said second end, said reservoir having a generally uniform diameter along a majority of a length of the reservoir; said annular first end having external threads formed on an outer surface of said annular first end, said annular first end having an opening connecting with said reservoir, said annular first end having a diameter which is less than a maximum diameter of said intermediate portion, said annular first end external threads being sized and adapted to be fitted into and engaged with the threaded aperture of the marine steering fluid system; and having sealing means provided on said annular first end for sealing said hollow body against the threaded aperture of the marine steering fluid system; said second end having internal threads formed on an inner surface of said annular second end and a second opening in said second end connecting with said reservoir, said second opening being larger than said first opening, and said second end internal threads being adapted and sized to engage the threaded cylindrical plug of the marine steering fluid system cap; 
 screwing the threaded cylindrical plug of the marine hydraulic steering fluid system cap into the second opening of the second end of the sight gauge until the sealing means provided on said threaded cylindrical plug seals said marine steering hydraulic fluid system cap against the second end of the sight gauge by gripping the finger-grippable knob and turning the marine hydraulic steering fluid system cap. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising periodically inspecting a hydraulic fluid level in the transparent intermediate portion of the sight gauge. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising pouring hydraulic fluid into the sight gauge until a level of hydraulic fluid is visible in the transparent intermediate portion of the sight gauge prior to screwing the threaded cylindrical plug of the marine hydraulic steering fluid system cap into the second opening of the second end of the sight gauge. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said sealing means comprises an O-ring fitted on to said annular first end. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said intermediate portion is a hollow cylinder. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said intermediate portion is formed of transparent plastic. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said intermediate portion is has a level indicator marking provided thereon.